Ultra-Orthodox Jews have criticised alleged police failing over a pro-Palestinian protest that left them too frightened to attend synagogue on Passover.
A rabbi described how his wheelchair bound daughter was left in tears as she and other Jewish women were verbally abused on their way to synagogue amid the march by hundreds of anti-Israeli activists in Westcliff-on-Sea, near Southend.
Members of the Jewish community have now submitted a formal complaint to Essex Police for allowing the march to take place and for the way they dealt with residents who were not protesting on the day.
The route for the rally on Saturday afternoon passed five synagogues where worshippers had been hoping to gather to celebrate Passover.
Such was the level of intimidation by those who ventured out that many worshippers decided to stay at home, despite it being one of the most important days in the Jewish calendar.
Those who did go outside described how protesters yelled “baby killers” at them as they walked around the town.
Some people said the police prevented them from moving freely around, telling them it was to protect them from intimidation.
Calls for investigation
Community members are demanding an investigation into the decision to allow the march to take place in the first place. They have asked the force to explain why no specific conditions were placed on the march and why there was such a lack of protective measures put in place for the Jewish community and synagogues.
Rabbi Akiva Padwa of the Southend and Westcliff Hebrew Congregation said: “There was no justification for them to come to this town other than to intimidate the Jewish community. We appealed to the police to ask the organisers to consider moving the march a mile down the road but this was not done.
“Westcliff is a very peaceful seaside town. People have come here to live in a quiet residential area.
“I am part of the Hasidic community here but despite us being outwardly different we get along very well with our non Jewish neighbours who were just as outraged as us that the police let this march take place.”
He said: “On Saturday my daughter, who is in a wheelchair, was with three other Jewish ladies and they were trying to cross over the road near the synagogue but were asked by the police, ‘Where are you going?’
“They said they did not think it was a very good idea for them to go down that way. There were protesters shouting ‘baby killers’ at them which was very upsetting.”
He went on: “We do not represent Israel, we are Jewish but we do not represent the Israeli state. Why are police giving preferential treatment to this march while members of the local community are being prevented from going about their lawful business?
“It was very sad because it was Passover but lots of congregants chose to leave Westcliff for the weekend and go to visit family in London. Some opted to stay at home rather than attend synagogue.”